~ For Episcopal Church Altar Guilds and Sacristans

Category Archives: Easter & Palm Sunday

One of the loveliest settings for Psalm 23- sing along if you know it.

The Lord’s my Shepherd, I’ll not want
He makes me down to lie in pastures green.
He leadeth me, the quiet waters by
My soul he doth restore again, And me to walk doth make.
Within the paths of Blessedness, E’en for his own name’s sake.
Yea though I pass thro’ the shadowed vale, Yet will I fear no ill.
For thou art with me, and Thy rod and staff me comfort still.
My table thou hast furnished in presence of my foes,
My head with oil thou dost anoint, And my cup overflows.
Goodness and mercy and all my days will surely follow me,
And in my fathers heart always my dwelling place shall be.

Of all the symbols of Easter, perhaps none is so familiar as the Agnus Dei. We see it in woven damask for frontals and vestments, on banners and even on special small linen sets for the altar. It must be crowned with a three-rayed nimbus or halo, signifying that it is a symbol of divinity and is featured with the white ground, red cross Banner of Victory.

The LAMB is the symbol associated with Jesus. He is often referred to in the Bible as the “Lamb of God” (Revelation 5:6-14). John the Baptist described Jesus as the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). The Passover lamb (Exodus 12:1-11) has been interpreted by Christians as foreshadowing Jesus’ sacrificial death (1 Corinthians 5:7).

Although the white lily is most often connected to the Mother of God, and is a symbol for purity and innocence, the EASTER LILY, which blooms in the spring close to Easter time has become a popular symbol. Because they are shaped like trumpets, lilies are symbols of immortality (1 Corinthians 15:52). Lilies are seen as pot decoration and cut for altar vases for Easter as well as motifs on church altar rail kneelers, stained glass windows, Easter bulletin decoration and Easter banners.

More rarely seen in decoration or textiles is the BUTTERFLY. It symbolizes the life cycle of Jesus and the Christian in the following order: the caterpillar stage represents natural earthly life; the cocoon represents death of the body; the butterfly emerging from the cocoon represents the resurrection. Another animal connected to the resurrection is the PHOENIX. Believed to have retained its immortality since, unlike the rest of the birds, it refused to eat from the forbidden tree in the garden of Eden.The phoenix lived for 500 years between rejuvenations. Every 500 years, it created a combination funeral pyre/nest for itself of spices and herbs, sat on it and set itself on fire. When the fire died down, an egg would be found among the ashes from which the phoenix which laid it would hatch. It has become a symbol of the resurrection.

Rarely seen in America as a symbol of the resurrection is the SWALLOW which flew around the cross chirping “Svale! Svale!” which is Scandinavian for “Cheer up! Cheer up!” Since this bird hibernates in the mud during the winter, his awakening in the spring is a symbol of the resurrection.

Another rare symbol is the WHALE for as Jesus said “For as Jonas was 3 days and 3 nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be 3 days and 3 nights in the heart of the earth” (Mt 12:40).

The HARE, or wild rabbit is a symbol of the moon. It became associated with Easter because the moon is used to determine the date of Easter. According to the Council of Nicea in 325 A.D. Easter falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon after March 21st. Have you ever seen this in church? It just might explain the “Easter Bunny” popularity in modern culture at Eastertide.

The PEACOCK Symbolizes immortality and the resurrection since its flesh was once believed to be incorruptible or immune to decay. The peacock damask below was found in a Rhode Island chasuble

The LION and EGG are other resurrection symbols. In the Bible, Jesus is called the Lion of the tribe of Judah. The genealogies of the New Testament point out that Jesus was a descendant of Judah from whom the eternal ruler was to come. The EGG shell can be seen as a nurturing, life giving tomb. The hatching chick represents Christ emerging from the tomb. The resurrection symbolism of the egg is enhanced by the legend of the phoenix.

Thanks to Greg and the Liturgical Arts Committee of Nativity of the Lord Church in Cudahy, Wisconsin for these photos. Wow- one of the prettiest pew end designs I have ever seen!. Greg writes, “We have a tradition that parishioners buy flower memorials for their beloved souls on Easter and that helps defray the cost of decorations and flowers. This year we have pastel birds among the flowers, forsythia branches and trees as memorials”.

Thanks to Greg and the Liturgical Arts Committee at Nativity of the Lord Church in Cudahy, Wisconsin for sharing these photos from Palm Sunday.

Curly willow is always a good choice to get the vertical line and height and fill in negative space. It draws the eye up to the crucifix. The lighting behind the tabernacle is unusual and very effective. Proper lighting on the chancel is crucial for both practical and aesthetic reasons.

Making a rosette of looped palm is a great way to add a focal point at the center- simple, yet elegant.

A touch of pussy willow or forsythia which has been forced breaks up the solid green of the palms.

The third arrangement at predella level is an unexpected and effective touch – assymmetry is refreshing to the eye. Thanks for sharing! We love to see how others approach altar decoration. Please send in your photos. (Revdma@aol.com)

Remember the days when orchid corsages could be bought in local grocery stores for Grandmother or Mom to wear on Easter Sunday? Sometimes Stop and Shop has them in individual paper boxes for about six dollars with the pearl-tipped corsage pin and a ribbon.

Orchids make wonderful and extremely long-lasting flowers for Easter decoration, whether cut or potted in soil. Home Depot has a large selection now featuring cymbidiums and dendrobia orchids, all with many blooms in the 15-19 dollar range. Potted orchids can often be inserted in their pots in a silver or brass vase or low compote-style container and topped with a bit of moss to produce a beautiful decoration for a side altar, chapel, or other small spot, or pots can be grouped together for a larger display. The colors are lovely for Easter, ranging from creamy whites to lavender, violet, magenta, chartreuse, sunny yellow and combinations of colors on one blossom. You will be amazed at how easy to care for orchids can be and how long they will last long after Eastertide. Orchids- a Good Thing.

Nurseries around the state are beginning to put out Spring planting stock. April is a good time for transplanting shrubs and trees. Instead of ordering only bulb flowers for Easter decorating, you might want to consider one or two flowering shrubs. These give great height in the Maundy garden, and best of all, after Easter these can be transplanted on the church grounds where they will keep giving for years. The shrub above is one variety of spirea commonly called Bridal Veil. Think of the possibilities of having this to use for weddings! Most flowering shrubs are low-maintainance and will start producing cutting material in the first year. A forsythia I planted back in 2002 is now enormous and provides wonderful willowy stems for forcing now and throughout the month of April. It is a big return for the investment. There are so many varieties and colors to choose from- ask the nurseryman what grows well in your area. Hydrangeas are a great choice for church gardens near the sea. The acidity of your soil will affect the color of the blossoms. Don’t overlook flowering quince, buddleia, lilacs, flowering almond, shrub roses, Rose of Sharon, and my favorite, flowering quince which comes in many shades from pale salmon to fiery red.

Walmart stores around Rhode Island have unloaded an ocean of beautiful palms- two varieties, about 4-5 feet tall in plastic pots. Palms make great backdrops for bulbs, nice vertical space-fillers for the Maundy Chapel of Repose, and of course, best of all- ideal decoration for next Sunday- Palm Sunday. The best part is the price TEN- that’s $10 per pot. Hurry on down today because I will bet they will be a hot sale item over this weekend. After Easter potted palms look stately in your guild hall, flanking a podium, a stage, next to the piano in a handsome cachepot, lounging in the rectory by the fireplace, or having a summer vacation in their pots outside. This is a great bargain- don’t miss it!

When ordering potted bulbs for the Easter garden, don’t forget the versatile pansies, violas and johnny-jump-ups. A favorite with everyone, the little pots look charming surrounding a font as a children’s Easter garden. After Easter Sunday is over, the little plants can go right into the church garden, window boxes, or linger awhile on ledges. The Sunday School children may enjoy planting the little plants in the garden as a project. They also make perfect small plants for hospital-bound shut-ins in the parish or cheery house call companions for the rector. Add a small bow, pop a plant in a little basket- and it is ready to go visiting. Include an Easter Sunday bulletin too.

Pansies and their cousins mix well with traditional bulb plants such as lilies, tulips, grape hyacinths, hyacinths, and crocus in the Maundy Thursday garden, or around the base of a Paschal candle for the Great Vigil and Easter Sunday. If you plan to make a garden around the Paschal candle, be sure to leave a path in back so the new candle can be easily reached for placement in the socket. A good rule of thumb is to check the Easter decorations down the center and return aisles and on the chancel well in advance of the Vigil to make sure nothing impedes the way of the choir and procession. With heating still on in most churches on April 4th, also avoid placing pots and flowers near heat registers, in full sun, or radiators. A charming treatment for deep windowsills along the nave are low baskets filled with colorful pansies or johnny-jump-ups. Who can resist the little “faces” and the variety of deep blues, purples, maroons, bright yellows, orange, pink, violet and creamy white? These flowers love it cool and like to be damp. They are hearty and will take a lot of neglect. Best planted soon after Easter to keep blooming well into summer if dead-headed and “pinched back” faithfully- another great job for the Sunday School!

Can it be possible that Palm Sunday is only one week from this coming Sunday? Where did the winter go? Our Easter Flower appeal went out on March 7th. How many times have we heard, “I meant to send that in!”? Make donating to this annual appeal as easy as possible. I have found that inserting a separate half-sheet inside the Sunday bulletin each week makes it easy for parishioners to attach a check on the spot, without having to tear anything out, then they can deposit check and dedication form in the alms bason. Also leave a few forms in obvious places like the back of church, the narthex, vestibule table, parish hall etc. Easter flowers may also be given in honor of someone or in thanksgiving for blessings received or for the service of an individual-not just as memorials. The Paschal candle may be sponsored by a church group or individual. Be sure to include the date when donations should reach the office.

1. Nurseries and florists will be very happy to have your bulb and flower order two weeks before delivery or pick up. To obtain the best product, make it easier for your supplier to order in plenty of time. If you plan to have paper coverings around your pots, be sure to tell your supplier. Plain dark green paper is best -the flower, not the pot, is the focus. Clear plastic drip cups are also available. Most florists and nurseries charge for papering pots and charge for the water catcher cups. Have floral materials delivered in plenty of time to make up the Maundy garden of repose and cut flowers in time to have stems cut and a good rest in deep water before arranging for the Great Vigil. At the high cost of blossoms- make each one count with careful prep time which will assure longer life.

2. Home Depot and Stop and Shop have begun putting out the potted palms. These are great for Palm Sunday, Easter, and will go happily outside this summer and return for you next year. Most are priced at about $15.00 for a large pot with palm height at about 6 feet high- a bargain!

3. Now is the time to get that brass polishing out of the way- it is the messiest part of festival preparation. Font inserts, Paschal candle stands, candlesticks, patenellas, thuribles etc. should gleam for Easter Sunday. MAAS is my preferred metal polish. Silver polishing is usually also on the agenda over the next 2 weeks.

4. Matches, flashlights and batteries, a good supply of candles, congregational candles and bobeches, baptismal candles, charcoal or kindling, towels for Maundy Thursday, and other Holy Week supplies should be procured and stored this week. Time to hunt up and clean the hibachi or other fire-making brazier for Saturday’s Great Vigil. Check wine and wafer supplies as well. Don’t forget to check on the waxed wicking for acolyte candle lighters!

5. Last call for minor repairs and cleaning of white vestments and hangings, small and fair linens. Holy Week is the time of year when the linen drawers should be well-stocked all the time for all emergencies.

6. Rotas for Holy Week should be sorted out with a list posted in the sacristy of all those covering the many services. This may be the week to have additional guild members lend a hand to the team on duty. Who will help maintain the potted plants? Will any flowers go to shut-ins? Will there be a parish tidy-up day with the altar guild? This is usually done the Saturday before Easter Sunday around 10 a.m.

7. Be sure to take your Paschal candle out of the box and make sure the incense grains are there and that there are no cracks in the candle. Be sure the candle end fits smoothly into the candlestick stand.

8. Do you have a team ready to assist with the stripping of the altar and the receiving and storing of chancel furnishings on Maundy Thursday evening?

9. Be ready to remove the lily stamens as soon as the pots are delivered. Don’t wait until the warm room causes the anthers to burst open and dump their pollen all over everything. Lily pollen is the worst to get out of cloth.

10. Being prepared, delegating chores, stocking up on supplies, good communication with the guild members and rector, and crossing off tasks ahead of schedule will insure a smooth, tranquil Holy Week and Easter Sunday and a beautiful sanctuary for the Feast of all feast days.

Thanks for sharing photos of Palm Sunday and Easter! The Paschal candle is spectacular- so easy to do using the jello mold ring, yet so effective and festive. The idea of a fan of palms around the Gospel on Palm Sunday is one I have never seen before- very nice. Got photos? Please send to revdma@aol.com. Thanks Susan- and the hard-working guild at Epiphany for a beautiful Easter and Holy Week effort.

Please send photos of your altars on Easter morning, Chapels of Repose, or other Holy Week services to revdma@aol.com Wishing you a peaceful, restful Easter Day with family and friends. Regulars site features and postings will return on Tuesday.